Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, 2\1/2\ years ago, this body, during another congressional recess, debated and passed a bill that dealt with the right to privacy: the Terri Schiavo legislation. The Republican Congress shredded the right to privacy in the Constitution then, and many Members regretted their vote because they got home and faced their constituents that were aghast at what we had done.

This bill is far worse because it treads on all Americans' civil liberties and their right to privacy. It allows warrantless wiretaps with no prior court review. It allows the government to spy on Americans without suspicion of their wrongdoing. It allows the government to force telecommunication companies to conduct the eavesdropping.

We need to adopt a wiretap program that protects our constitutional rights. Do we trust this administration with respecting the privacy of Americans and not casting the widest net possible? When do we say ``this far and no farther''?

Voting for this bill lets the terrorists win. It lets them force us to choke off our citizens' rights. Americans want us, as they have repeatedly shown, to uphold the finest example of democracy and civil liberties the world has ever known.

Don't let the terrorists win. Vote against this bill. Adopt a surveillance program that protects our citizens and our rights.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of Juan and Alex Gomez, two brave and talented young men in Miami who are struggling to remain in the United States and contribute to the only country they have ever really known as their homeland.

Juan and Alex Gomez came to the United States from Colombia when they were just toddlers. Throughout their lives they worked hard in school and played by the rules.

A model student, Juan is now 18 years old and he recently graduated at the top of his class from Miami Killian High School. Juan earned high scores on 15 Advanced Placement exams and a nearly perfect score on the SAT.

Just a few days ago, Juan was looking forward to beginning college at Miami Dade College's Honors College. But sadly, today Juan and his family are at risk of deportation.

Juan's friends and classmates learned of his imminent deportation and decided to take matters into their own hands. Twelve teenage friends quickly organized a trip to Washington to enlist the support of Members of Congress. Madam Speaker, yesterday I met with Juan's classmates.

The passion and determination with which these students advocated on behalf of their friend is nothing short of inspirational. Working with immigration lawyers, members of the press, and Congressional offices, Juan's friends are advocating for a fair immigration policy while emphasizing the benefits Juan and Alex bring to the United States and vice versa.

I commend these young people for their true leadership and true public service; they are an inspiration for their entire generation. Because of their outreach to Members of Congress from Florida on both sides of the aisle, and the support of several others, we learned yesterday that the Gomez boys have received a 45-day temporary stay of deportation.

I thank and commend my colleagues who have diligently worked to intervene on behalf of Juan and Alex.

Senator Bill Nelson, Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart have worked in a bipartisan fashion to bring justice to the teenagers.

Throughout the next month, we must continue to work with immigration officials to make sure that Juan and Alex can remain in the United States.

This case brings increased attention to the need for Congress to pass legislation like the DREAM Act, which would allow students like Juan and Alex, who have grown up in the United States and are pursuing higher education or military service, the opportunity to realize the American dream.

In this increasingly competitive market, the United States must not forfeit the talent that students like Juan and Alex can contribute to our Nation.

Additionally, one has to question what is going on in our system, when rather than focusing their limited resources on criminals who are here illegally, our immigration officials are going after academic all- stars like Juan Gomez.

Madam Speaker, I would like to close with Juan's own words describing the motivation that has kept him and Alex optimistic despite all odds.

Juan wrote, ``Our whole family has worked hard in order to better ourselves in the country we call home. Academically, we have both strived and succeeded with hopes that our accomplishments would outshine our immigration status. All of our hard work will hopefully allow us to continue living and contributing to this wonderful country.''

I call on my colleagues to learn more about this case and to work to enact legislation that will allow talented students like Juan and Alex, who have benefited from our Nation's public education system, to continue to contribute to the country that has given them hope.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of three bills under consideration today in the House of Representatives: the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act (H.R. 180), the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act (H.R. 2347), and a bill to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (H.R. 957).

With a combination of sanctions and divestment, these important pieces of legislation demonstrate our nation's commitment to human rights and the rule of law with our actions and not just our words. The governments of Sudan and Iran must understand the consequences of their deplorable and inhumane policies.

As the genocide continues in the Darfur region of Sudan, many state and local governments have chosen not to invest in companies that do business in Sudan. Until the government of Sudan takes transparent steps to end the violence and increase humanitarian access to the refugees in Darfur, divestment remains an essential tool for pressuring the Sudanese government. The Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act supports efforts by local government and universities to divest from companies that conduct business in Sudan. Additionally, it prohibits the federal government from entering into contracts with these companies as well. Coupled with diplomatic pressure, the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act is a significant step in the fight against the horrific genocide taking place in this region of the world.

Two additional bills, the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act and a bill to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, seek to increase pressure on the government of Iran to halt its uranium enrichment program. The Iran Sanctions Enabling Act authorizes state and local governments to divest from companies with $20 million or more invested in Iran's energy industry. A second bill amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to expand and clarify the entities against which sanctions may be imposed. As Iran relies heavily on foreign investment in its energy sector, these bills will effectively suffocate Iran's resources.

The Federal legislation paves the way for states to make smart, conscious decisions regarding the investment of employee pension funds and other public investments. As the first state to enact divestment legislation, the State of Florida has taken the lead in protecting state interests from reprehensible regimes. I applaud the Florida legislature and all of the community organizations that pressed for this important initiative.

Madam Speaker, the powerful economic tool of divestment makes it clear to Sudan's complicit government and Iran's egomaniacal leadership that the United States and the American people stand strong in the battle against genocide, extremism, and corrupt governance. I congratulate the Members of the House of Representatives for their work on these issues and urge my colleagues to support these three important bills.

Mr. Speaker, I met Lilly Ledbetter during the House Judiciary Committee hearing last month. At that time, she explained how she was repeatedly harassed during her 20-year career at Goodyear. Lilly Ledbetter described for us in Judiciary how she had no proof of pay discrimination until someone anonymously slipped payroll records into her mailbox. Now, as much as our colleagues on the other side of the aisle would like to wish it to be otherwise, until a few months ago, it was established law that each paycheck constitutes a discriminatory act under the law.

When they were confirmed, Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito promised to follow precedent. They promised to practice judicial restraint. Instead, they rewrote the law and pushed an activist, conservative agenda. They denied Lilly Ledbetter justice.

In the real world, discrimination is subtle and takes years to become evident. However, Justice Alito ruled that victims have only 180 days after a discriminatory decision has been made to file suit, even if that employee would have no way of knowing about it. This standard is impossible to meet. The opponents of this bill expect employees to be clairvoyant.

Many companies intentionally prohibit their employees from comparing salaries and pay raises, and this decision will allow employers to shield discriminatory practices.

The Ledbetter Fair Pay Act rights this wrong. It clarifies that an employee is discriminated against each and every time she receives an unfair paycheck, and I'm surprised at my colleagues, particularly my female brethren on the other side of the aisle, who are standing in front of this House and asking the House to continue and repeat the practice of discrimination against women who have been unfairly treated for years and years.

I urge my colleagues to support fair pay in the workplace, and I thank Chairman Miller for his leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I met Lily Ledbetter during a House Judiciary Committee hearing last month. At that time, she explained how she was repeatedly harassed during her 20-year career at Goodyear. She told me how she had no proof of pay discrimination until someone anonymously slipped payroll records into her mailbox. Until a few months ago, it was established law that each paycheck constitutes a discriminatory act under the law.

When they were confirmed, Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito promised to follow precedent--they promised to practice judicial restraint. Instead, they rewrote the law and pushed an activist, conservative agenda. They denied Lily Ledbetter justice.

In the real world, discrimination is subtle and takes years to become evident. However, Justice Alito ruled that victims have only 180 days after a discriminatory decision has been made to file suit--even if that employee would have no way of knowing about it! This standard is impossible to meet.

Many companies intentionally prohibit their employees from comparing salaries and pay raises, and this decision will allow employers to shield discriminatory practices.

The Ledbetter Fair Pay Act rights this wrong. It clarifies that an employee is discriminated against each and every time she receives an unfair paycheck.

I urge my colleagues to support fair pay in the workplace, and I thank Chairman Miller for his leadership on this issue.

Mr. Chairman, I want to congratulate Chairman Peterson for an excellent farm bill which I support and look forward to supporting, assuming this amendment is not added to it.

I do have the utmost respect for the gentleman from New York and have enjoyed my time serving with him in the House of Representatives, but I rise in opposition to his amendment which provides the Cuban regime with the ability to open bank accounts in the United States and obtain visas for regime officials to visit U.S. production facilities.

I strongly support the farm bill, but this amendment needlessly adds a volatile political issue to this important bill.

Cuba is one of five countries in the world that is a state sponsor of terror, along with North Korea, Iran, Syria and Sudan. This amendment would allow access to our financial institutions by a regime that is and maintains close relationships with other state sponsors of terrorism.

Recently, we have been especially vigilant about not allowing access to our financial institutions since 9/11. We adopted the Bank Secrecy Act. We have made sure there are countless accountability measures to ensure that financial institutions have the ability

to protect themselves from people who would do us harm, and this amendment would go in the opposite direction.

Additionally, regular Cuban citizens are prohibited from engaging in private economic activity; thus, general agricultural licenses will only serve the purpose of allowing agents of the Cuban Government into the United States.

Finally, I want to remind Members that while the Castro regime seeks U.S. concessions to finance its existence, it has consistently rejected offers of direct U.S. humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people.

I ask my colleagues to vote against this amendment. The Cuban people stand at the cusp of actualizing their dreams of freedom. It is our duty to stand by them during this historic time.

Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, on Monday, the House will meet at 10:30 a.m. for morning-hour business and noon for legislative business, with votes rolled until 6:30 p.m. In addition to several bills under suspension of the rules, a list of which will be announced by the close of business today, we will consider H.R. 986, the Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act; and H.R. 2831, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

On Tuesday, the House will meet at 9 a.m. for morning-hour business and 10 a.m. for legislative business. On Wednesday and Thursday the House will meet at 10 a.m. On Friday the House will meet at 9 a.m. We will consider the FY08 Agriculture appropriations bill, the FY08 Department of Defense appropriations bill, the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act, and energy independence legislation.

We do not yet know what the rule will look like. We will be consulting with the Rules Committee and the Chair of the respective committees and we will be able to determine that at that point.

There are various possibilities being considered, and those decisions have not yet been reached.

That is also a decision that has not yet been made. The Rules Committee will be consulted as well as the Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

We are considering a number of different possibilities, and those decisions, in terms of substance, have not yet been reached.

That decision is still being considered.

The rule for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act will be a closed rule.

Those decisions have not yet been made, but it is possible that we will consider an Iraq vote sometime during next week.

In the event that we do not complete the agenda that is ambitious for next week, Members should make plans to possibly be here on Saturday.

While that is still under discussion, it is unlikely.

We are looking at various options to address that concern, and it is possible that will occur next week.

I thank my friend from Virginia for his comments, and we certainly couldn't agree more on the importance of that. We have been looking at various ways that we can address those concerns. The majority is absolutely concerned about addressing the whole issue of terrorism and making sure that we can close every possible loophole that might be slipped through by a terrorist.

We think the gentleman's characterization of the timing of that is a bit of a stretch. We do believe that that is an important issue to address. With the ambitious agenda that we have next week and the priorities that have been laid out, it is unlikely that we will get to the FDA issue next week, but we will be dealing with it as soon as possible.

We certainly do not, which is why we plan to make that a priority and deal with it as soon as we possibly can.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Monday next for morning-hour debate.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the business in order under the Calendar Wednesday rule be dispensed with on Wednesday next.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the steadfast friendship between the United States and Israel and to express support for Israeli soldiers held captive by terrorist organizations.

July 12, 2007 marks the one year anniversary of Hezbollah's infiltration into northern Israel, and it is a stinging reminder of Hezbollah's attack that sparked the bloody conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

For the past year, three Israeli soldiers have been away from their families, held captive by terrorist organizations. Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev were kidnapped by Hezbollah in the attack on July 12, 2006, and Gilad Shalit was abducted by Hamas on June 25, 2006 near the Gaza Strip.

Gilad Shalit is the youngest of the three men at the age of 20. He began his service in July of 2005, and volunteered to work in a combat unit. Shalit loves math and sports. Ehud Goldwasser, 31, is always willing to lend a helping hand. Passionate about photography, sailing, and the environment, Goldwasser is recently married and looks forward to starting a family. Eldad Regev, 26, is a law student at Bar Ilan University. Regev enjoys soccer, music, and reading. The families and friends of these talented young men look forward to their safe return.

Since its independence in 1948, Israel has continuously struggled to protect its citizens and ensure the safety of its men and women in uniform. As a Member of Congress, I recognize the bond between the United States and Israel and support the Israeli people on this solemn anniversary.

Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Madam Chairman, I congratulate the chairman and ranking member on a very well-crafted and bipartisan bill. I'd like to particularly thank the chairman for including a nearly $100 million increase to the Ryan White CARE Act.

My amendment would add a $3.5 million increase to Ryan White title IV funding.

Title IV's unique model of coordinated, family-centered care has proven successful at promoting better health. HIV-positive children treated by title IV have reduced hospitalizations, fewer symptoms, and fewer opportunistic infections, resulting in overall improved health and longer life. Babies are more likely to be born HIV-free if their HIV-positive mothers receive prenatal care through a title IV program.

Nearly 90 percent of the people cared for by title IV live below the poverty level, and 88 percent are African American or Latino.

As HIV infections in women and young people continue to rise, disproportionately impacting low-income women and youth of color, title IV programs have needed additional resources in recent years.

A $3.5 million increase to title IV will prevent cuts to HIV services for women, children, youth and families living with HIV. Even this modest increase can help bring more pregnant women and young people into care and keep them in care.

Madam Chairman, I thank the chairman of the committee and the ranking member as well, and I want to acknowledge the advocacy and support of Congressman Hank Johnson from the State of Georgia as well.

Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, the President continues to ask this Congress and the American people to ``stay the course'' in Iraq. Well, Mr. President, today the American people and the Congress have said ``no more.''

Today I add my voice once again to the growing number of retired military generals, the Iraq Study Group, and untold thousands of rank and file on the front lines who were calling for a new direction in Iraq. The success of our military depends on a sound strategy. Yet instead of fighting the terrorists in the mountains of Afghanistan, our armed forces are overextended after 4 years of refereeing a civil war in the sands of Iraq.

The President's escalation of this war, his so-called surge, is not working. That much is clear. Since the escalation of this war 6 months ago, more than 25,000 troops have been sent to Iraq, 600 more U.S. soldiers have died, and more than 3,000 troops have been wounded. Countless thousands of Iraqis are dead, and today the violence in Iraq is at an all-time high. Those are facts that no one can deny.

Our troops have performed heroically in Iraq, but the Iraqi Government has failed to meet any, any of the benchmarks endorsed by the President in January. Political reconciliation within Iraq is nonexistent. A change of course is long overdue.

The time has come for the United States to responsibly redeploy our troops from Iraq and to refocus our efforts on protecting Americans from terrorism. The time has come for Iraqis to take primary responsibility for their country and for their security.

Let me be clear on one additional point. Democrats support the troops.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I personally have consistently voted to fund our troops and to provide our soldiers in the line of fire with the resources that they need. I do this because our brave servicemen and women are not risking their lives each and every day for one political party over another. They are risking their lives for America.

Our Nation owes our troops a strategy that is worthy of their sacrifice. But ``stay the course'' is not that strategy. It is a slogan that continues to fail them.

No, Mr. Speaker, if we really want to support our troops, it is time to get them out of Iraq and redeploy them to other areas where they can fight the terrorists who have attacked and who continue to threaten our Nation. That's where the war on terror should be waged.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of The Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act, and I thank Chairman Skelton for his leadership and his dedication to the readiness of our troops and the continuing excellence of the United States armed forces.

The President continues to ask this Congress and the American people to ``stay the course'' in Iraq. Well, Mr. President, today the American people and the Congress say, ``No more!!''

Instead, I add my voice once again to the growing number of retired military generals, the Iraq Study Group, and untold thousands of rank- and-file on the front lines who are calling for a new direction in Iraq.

The success of our military depends on a sound strategy. Yet, instead of fighting terrorists in the mountains of Afghanistan, our armed forces are overextended after four years of refereeing a civil war in the sands of Iraq.

The President's escalation of this war,--his so-called ``surge''--is not working. That much is clear. Since the escalation of this war 6 months ago, more than 25,000 troops have been sent to Iraq, 600 more U.S. soldiers have died and more than 3,000 troops have been wounded. Countless thousands of Iraqis are dead, and today the violence in Iraq is at an all-time high!

Our troops have performed heroically in Iraq, but the Iraqi government has failed to meet any of the benchmarks endorsed by the President in January. Political reconciliation within Iraq is non- existent. A change of course is long overdue.

The time has come for the United States to responsibly re-deploy our troops from Iraq and to refocus our efforts on protecting Americans from terrorism. The time has come for Iraqis to take primary responsibility for their country and their security.

Mr. Speaker, this bill will do exactly that.

Let me be clear on one additional point. Democrats support the troops. As a Member of the Appropriations Committee, I have consistently voted to fund our troops and provide our soldiers in the line of fire with the resources they need.

I do this because our brave service men and women are not risking their lives each and every day for one political party or the other. They are risking their lives for America.

Our Nation owes our troops a strategy that is worthy of their sacrifice. But ``stay the course'' is not that strategy. It is a slogan that continues to fail them.

No, Mr. Speaker, if we really want to support our troops, it is now time to get them out of Iraq and re-deploy them to other areas where they can fight the terrorists who have attacked, and who continue to threaten our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Miller for his recognition.

I rise in support of the College Cost Reduction Act and want to thank my good friend, the chairman, for his leadership and the members of the committee for their exceptional work.

While I am very supportive of the bill's overall goal, I have a concern that the bill incorporates the Bush administration's proposal to significantly cut the yield on all lenders across the board. Students and parents have saved millions of dollars due to smaller competitive lenders offering consolidation loans at lower interest rates. Greater competition leads to lower prices and more choices for the consumer.

I do want to thank the chairman for his recognition of small lenders. And quite honestly, he's worked very, very hard to get the legislation to this point, and I know he continues to try to do that.

I want to thank the chairman for eliminating the origination fee for small lenders because that's an important part of this bill as well. It will lower interest rates for students in the future. But we must ensure that individuals currently enrolled do not pay more when they're starting to repay their loans.

I look forward to working with Chairman Miller and the ranking member and hope that this matter will be addressed in conference, and I know the chairman has committed to continue to try to do that. We must ensure that we help all students, parents and lenders equally and fairly.

Madam Speaker, teaching is among the most noble and demanding of professions; and excellence in the delivery of education helps not only individuals, but the entire community, become more tolerant, knowledgeable, and strong. The effectiveness and efficiency of learning depends, in large measure, on those individuals who have dedicated their life to quality education, public service, and excellence. Recognizing one educator in particular, I would like to congratulate Dr. Stephen Paul Pollinger for his recent Law Teacher of the Year for Middle School Award, given to him by the American Bar Association. After receiving his doctorate in education from Fordham University in New York, he taught at several universities, most recently at Florida Atlantic University, while serving as the Middle School Administrator at Donna Klein Jewish Academy in Boca Raton, FL. Dr. Pollinger has also served as a staff developer for the Broward County School Board, curriculum designer in social science, principal at the elementary and middle school levels, and participated in creating Holocaust education that is now a part of the Florida curriculum.

After taking on the law program at Seminole Middle School in Plantation, FL, he involved the school in the Broward County Mock Trial program under the direction of Judge Robert Diaz. Seminole Middle School not only participated in the program, but they won the competition! It was the success of this program that led to Dr. Pollinger involving the students in the American Bar Association's mock trials competition. His participation and leadership in education led Dr. Pollinger to win the American Bar Association's Law Teacher of the Year for Middle Schools. He will travel to San Francisco in August to receive the award, while simultaneously representing Seminole Middle School, Broward County, the State of Florida, and of course my home district, Florida 20. With that said Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize Dr. Stephen Paul Pollinger for his positive impact on the lives of others.

Madam Speaker, I am listed as voting ``nay'' during rollcall vote number 529 on H.R. 2764, the ``Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008'' when it was before the House of Representatives on Thursday, June 21, 2007. This is an error. I support the Shays of Connecticut Amendment on the Iraq Study Group and want it noted that had my intention been properly expressed I would be recorded as having voted ``aye.''